Fire extinguisher head assembly



Aug. 7, 1962 c. K. HUTHSING, SR. ETAL 3,048,194

FIRE EXTINGUISHER HEAD ASSEMBLY Filed NOV. 26, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a I a4 7 hill 67025 Camus K.Humsme.$a.

Aug. 7, 1962 c. K. HUTHSING, SR., ETAL 3,048,194

FIRE EXTINGUISHER HEAD ASSEMBLY FiledNov. 26, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEA/razs Cum-es K. Humsms.Jn..

' "United States atent fiizce 3,048,14 FIRE EXTINGUISHER HEAD ASSEMBLY Charles K. Huthsing, Sn, Culver City, and Don F. Preston, Pacific Palisades, Califi, assignors to General Fire Extinguisher Corporation, a corporation of California Filed Nov. 26, 1953, Ser. N 0. 776,567 1 Claim. (Cl. 137-63015) This invention generally relates to an improved fire extinguisher head assembly, and more particularly relates to improved discharge valve means embodied in a fire extinguisher head assembly particularly adaptable for employment in conjunction with automatic discharge fire extinguisher systems.

The improved discharge valve means of the present invention, although usable with conventional fire extin guisher apparatus, is most advantageously embodied as a component in fire extinguishing systems in which pressurized gas cylinders (for example, containing carbon dioxide) are opened by remotely controlled cables or by electrical or pressurized fluid means. Industry specifications further require that such discharge valve means be susceptible of manual operation under emergency conditions.

Although fire extinguisher discharge valve apparatus for automatic systems, as above described, is presently available on the market, the head assemblies embodying the conventional discharge valve as well as the valve itself are oftentimes difiicult to maintain and repair. Furthermore, such conventional units are relatively expensive to manufacture, and difficulties have been experienced in effecting positive, leakproof operation while adhering to use a limited number of moving parts.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a discharge valve means for embodiment in a fire extinguisher head assembly, which is characterized by a simple rugged construction.

Another object is to provide a discharge valve means for incorporation in a fire extinguisher head assembly which inherently conforms to the requirements of automatic fire extinguishing systems, and yet which is readily maintained and repaired in a minimum amount of time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a discharge valve means for embodiment in a fire extinguisher head assembly, which after an initial triggering by suitable actuating means in the form of a control cable, pressurized fluid line, or other actuator, will inherently function to maintain itself in a discharging condition.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a discharge valve means for embodiment in a fire extinguisher head assembly which is adaptable not only for coupling to primary gas cylinders but functions equally well with. limited modification in connection with secondary cylinders, which may be actuated by gas discharge from the primary cylinder.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a valve discharge means for embodiment in a fire extinguisher head assembly which may be economically manufactured with a limited number of parts, and which embodies a positive acting leakproof construction.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are generally attained by providing a discharge valve means for incorporation in a portable fire extinguisher head assembly which includes primary valve means interposed in the conventional discharge passage means of the head assembly and normally urged toward a seated position in the head assembly by pressurized gas from the coupled cylinder or tank.

' An actuating chamber is defined by the head assembly, and an actuating passage means communicates between the cylinder of pressurized gas and the actuating chamber through the primary valve means. Secondary valve means extend through the actuating passage in the primary valve means, and the secondary valve means has an end portion thereof urged towards a seating position sealing oil the actuating passage by the pressurized gas of the cylinder.

Piston means are mounted in the head assembly and define a part of the actuating chamber with the piston means being adaptable to movement to a first position engaging and unseating the secondary valve, means and thereafter to a second position engaging and unseating the primary valve means. In this regard, the piston means has a larger area subject to gas pressure than the primary valve means.

As a consequence, upon movement of the piston means to the first position, the pressurized gas from the cylinder will flow into the actuating chamber through the actuating passage means, and thereafter force the piston means to the second position .to unseat the primary valve means. Towards this end, actuating means are further provided adaptable to urge the piston means towards the first position.

In one construction, the actuating means may comprise a piston actuating passage communicating between the actuating chamber and the exterior of the head assembly,

the passage being adapted for connection to a source of pressurized fluid (for example, responsive to the discharge of a primary cylinder) whereby connection of the piston actuating passage to the pressurized fluid source will effect the movement of the piston means to the first position in which the secondary valve means is unseated.

It is evident that other forms of actuating means may be employed as will be clearer as the specification proceeds.

A better understanding of the present invention will be had by reference to the drawings showing merely one illustrative embodiment and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view through a fire extinguisher head assembly showing the improved discharge valve means of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top view of the operating head employed in conjunctionwi-th the discharge valve means of the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of a modified construction for the operating head employed in conjunction with the discharge valve means of the present invention; and,

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of a modified form of an operating head for use in conjunction with a'secondary fire extinguisher unit or cylinder.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG- URE l a fire extinguisher head assembly embodying a discharge valve means of the present invention and generally comprising an operating head 10, a valve assembly 11, and

a tank or cylinder 12 of pressurized gas, for example, carbon dioxide.

The operating head 10 includes a body 13 of generally cylindrical shape adapted to slidably mount therein an actuating pin 14, and defining in its upper end portion a slotted portion 15 as is more clearly shown in the view of FIGURE 2. The slot 15 accommodates an actuating lever 16 which is pivotably coupled to the operating head body 13 as by a pin 17 extending through a suitable lateral bore 18, the latter being shown in the view of FIGURE 2.

The operating head body 13 further includes a lateral bore 19 disposed above the actuating pin 14 and adapted to receive a safety pin member to prevent inadvertent actuation of the pin 14 by the lever 16 during periods of non-operation of the unit.

An annular nut 20 is coupled to the head body 13, as through a retaining wire 21 enabling rotative movement of the head body 13 with respect to the nut 20 and yet securely maintaining these members in fixed axial 32. As a consequence of this action, a flow of pressurized gas will be maintained from the tank 12 into the actuating chamber A. Thus, the pressure in the chamber A will continue to build up to thereafter force the piston means 38 further downwardly into engagement with the valve 32.

It should be noted at this time that the piston means 38, upon a slight downward movement will have a greater area subject to the pressure of gas flowing into chamber A, than the lower surface area of the valve 32. In consequence, a greater force, resulting from gas pressure, will be exerted downwardly on the piston means 38 than is exerted upwardly on the bottom of the valve 32 (including the force of spring means 42) and the valve 32 will be unseated from its normal position as shown in FIGURE 1. Upon unseating of the valve 32, gas will flow from the tank 12 through the discharge passage C, and thereafter, as heretofore described, through openings in the sidewalls of the valve cage 31 into the annular groove 43 and out through the discharge openings 44 and 45.

It will be appreciated that an important feature of the present invention resides in the provision of the ring 40 and its co-operation with the piston means38. Thus, as soon as some form of actuating means has initially opened the valve 35 from its seated position against valve 32, no further external force need be applied or maintained. This condition results from the fact that immediately upon opening of the valve 35, gas will flow to the actuating chamber A to urge the piston means 38 down into engage- I ment with the ring 40 and maintain the valve 35 in its open position to thereby enable further gas flow to the chamber A and subsequent opening of the valve 32 as a result of pressure built up therein. v

In the event that the valve means is to be actuated by fluid pressure rather than the lever-cable arrangement shown, it is merely necessary to connect a pressurized fluid line to the opening 53. In consequence, upon subjection of the opening 53 to a given fluid pressure, the pressure will be communicated through the passage 54 to the chamber A to effect a downward force onthe piston 38 and to cause its engagement with the ring 40 and the resultant opening of the valve 35. Of course, once the valve 35 has been opened as heretofore described, the unit will become self-operating and no further external force or pressurized gas will be required.

It is obvious, according to construct-ions well known in the art, that instead of coupling the opening 53 to a gas line, an explosive cartridge could be inserted in the opening 53 appropriately connected through electrical wiring to a master control unit. In such a case, upon detonation of the charge in the opening 53, a gas pressure would be effected downwardly through the passage 54 to in turn,

actuate the piston means 38 in a manner as heretofore described.

The openings 46 and 47 serve to prevent any back pressure being built up on the lower side of piston means 38 either because of gas leakage into this area or because of air compression as the piston moves downwardly.

It Will be appreciated as heretofore pointed out that the lever means 16 may be actuated manually as Well as by a cable connection. Furthermore, the lever means 16 may be mounted in a different orientation with respect to the operating head body 13 so that it is susceptible of operation by a vertical force as shown in the view of FIGURE 3. Thus, as shown in the view of FIGURE 3, there is shown a lever 60 (of identical construction to the lever 16 in FIGURE 1) which is turned upside down with respect to the disposition of lever 16 in FIGURE 1 such that an aperture 62 is used for pivot connection through a pin 17 to the slot 15 of the operating head body 13. The notched portion 61 functions to enable the lever to move downwardly into the slot 15 without abutting against the solid portion of the body 13.

Under circumstances in which the head assembly and discharge valve means embodied therein is to be used as a part of or in conjunction with a secondary cylinder, it is ing head 65 which includes a body 66 having a threaded opening 67. The opening is adapted to receive a fluid gas line or the like.

The body 66 is in turn coupled to a nut 68 (functioning in the same manner as the nut 20 of FIGURE 1) through means of a retaining wire 69.

The body 66 has disposed therein in the opening 67 a check valve 7 0 which is limited in its upward movement by a drive pin 71 securely mounted in the body 66.

The check valve 70 includes an upper conical shaped head 72 adapted to seat at 73. The valve member 70 further includes a lower block-like portion 74 to engage pin 71 and prevent loss of the valve 70.

In operation of the head 65, it is normally coupled to the valve cap 27 (as shown in FIGURE 1) such that the check valve 70 is forced upwardly a slight distance by the actuating knob 41 whereby gas may flow into the opening 67 and down past the check valve 70 into the chamber A. Furthermore, upon removal of the head 65 while in coupled relationship to a pressure line, gas pressure will force the conical head 72 down into seating engagement at 73 to prevent escape of gas through the line and the head 65.

In consequence of this construction, in the event a plurality of secondary cylinders are employed in the auto matic fire extinguishing system, any one of the respective heads 65 may be removed for repair or maintenance of the secondary cylinder without danger of escaping gas even though the head 65 is maintained in coupled relationship to the gas line.

In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that applicants have invented an improved discharge valve means for embodiment in a fire extinguisher head assembly particularly adaptable for automatic discharge systems. Furthermore, the improved discharge valve means is of relatively simplified construction, is selfperpetuating, and is positive and safe in its operation without danger from failure because of escaping gas or the like. It will be-additionally appreciated that the improved discharge valve means of the present invention is universal to the extent that it may be actuated by different forces without any modification to the structure thereof; also, with a simple threaded replacement, it is adaptable for use not only in conjunction with a primary cylinder but also in conjunction with secondary cylinders.

In the latter regard, it is to be noted that the discharge opening 45 as shown in FIGURE 1 is adapted for connection to secondary cylinders as a fluid pressure line, for example, for coupling to the openings 67 of the secondary head 65, as shown in FIGURE 4. In the event no secondary cylinders are employed, the discharge opening 45 would normally be closed off and the main discharge opening 44 only employed. Of course, the opening 53 is also normally closed in the event mechanical actuation is used.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and changes may be made to the improved gas discharge means of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention thereof as set forth in the following claim.

What is claimed is:

A valve assembly having inlet passage means designed for communication with a source of pressurized gas, said valve assembly comprising: primary valve means interposed in said passage means and normally urged to a seated position in said valve assembly by said pressurized gas; an actuating chamber defined by said valve assembly; actuating passage means through said primary valve means communicating between said pressurized gas and said actuating chamber; secondary valve means extending through said actuating passage means in said primary valve means, said secondary valve means having an end portion thereof urged by said pressurized gas to a seated position.

1 means, beingsadaptabletomovemqntto ggsifion engaging and unseating said se'conflary v aivemsfins snags 1 .insansfib saiclLfiist p defining a part of said actuating chamber, said piston flied n' thereafter to a secondary positionlengagjpg and uhscatip D said primary valve means; sai pistonyymeans havingg a lafger gas pressure actingarea ban sa id primal ve means Wherebyjnpon ,ovemefflt of said pi'stofi meazfs t and thereafter force said piston mans tg said sq; mi pos tion unseating seiid primfiry valv meagls; actuaj'ting m ans for directly ,unseating saidsecondary valve? means; said aptuating. Ifieans comprises a force transiilittingyiheans 

